Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary AV is continuously seeking talented Systems Engineers to work onsite at one of our Albuquerque, New Mexico or Germantown, Maryland offices. In this role, you will support the development, integration, verification, and deployment of advanced aerospace, space RF, laser, beam-control, and electromechanical systems. Systems Engineers at AV help transform customer needs and technical concepts into well-defined, testable, and mission-ready products. This evergreen posting is intended for candidates at multiple experience levels, with responsibilities and seniority aligned to qualifications, experience, and program needs. Depending on the assignment, Systems Engineers may support space and ground RF systems, ground-based laser and beam-control products, or related advanced technology programs. You will collaborate with systems engineers, mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, software, test, and program management teams throughout the product lifecycle. Responsibilities may include requirements development, system architecture, verification and validation, integration and test, risk management, technical reviews, and product delivery. More experienced candidates may lead systems engineering activities, special projects, or provide technical direction and mentorship to other engineers. Position Responsibilities Depending on experience and program needs, responsibilities may include: Capture, develop, decompose, allocate, and manage customer, system, subsystem, and product requirements using requirements-management tools. Work with program management, chief engineers, and functional engineering leads to understand customer needs and translate them into clear, verifiable technical requirements. Develop and maintain requirements traceability, interface documentation, specifications, and other technical data. Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, software, and other engineering disciplines to develop system architectures, interfaces, and lower-level requirements. Develop and support verification and validation strategies, plans, procedures, and methods. Support system integration, functional testing, qualification, and acceptance testing. Collect, analyze, and document test data and support closure of verification and validation activities. Participate in internal and customer technical reviews, including requirements, design, test readiness, and verification reviews. Support technical risk management, trade studies, impact assessments, and resolution of cross-functional issues. Provide full lifecycle support for product baseline changes, configuration management, and customer-specific modifications. Work directly with teams developing, integrating, testing, fielding, and supporting prototype and low-rate production hardware. Support program planning, technical status reporting, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Provide technical leadership, task ownership, or mentorship based on experience. Support special projects and continuous improvement of AV’s systems engineering processes and capabilities. Support occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations as required. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience) Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, an engineering discipline, physics, or a related technical field. Relevant experience in systems engineering, requirements development and management, system integration, verification, validation, or test. Level will be determined by qualifications and experience. Working knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes, requirements traceability, and verification methodologies. Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop requirements, test plans, verification methods, and technical documentation. Experience analyzing technical data, resolving system-level issues, and communicating clear conclusions and recommendations. Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and technical documentation skills. Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, hands-on engineering environment. Must be a U.S. citizen. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance, if required by the program. Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies Experience with RF communication systems, satellite architectures, laser systems, beam-control systems, electro-optical systems, or related aerospace and defense technologies. Experience working directly with teams developing and testing hardware systems, beyond requirements-management activities. Experience collaborating with mechanical, electrical, RF, optical, software, manufacturing, and test engineering teams. Experience supporting prototype, low-rate production, or fielded systems. Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering tools and techniques, including Cameo or similar platforms. Working knowledge of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook and/or ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288. Experience with system architecture, interface control, requirements verification, validation, and technical performance assessments. Experience supporting environmental, functional, qualification, or acceptance testing. Familiarity with requirements-management, configuration-management, PLM, or test-management tools. Experience leading systems engineering tasks, technical reviews, special projects, or cross-functional teams. Current and active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance. Core Competencies Requirements development, allocation, management, and traceability Systems architecture and multidisciplinary integration Verification and validation planning and execution Hardware integration, test support, and data analysis Technical problem solving and risk management Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder communication Technical documentation and configuration management Systems engineering process improvement Task ownership, technical leadership, and mentorship Career Framework Track: Engineering Discipline: Systems Engineering Level: Based on qualifications and experience Focus Areas: Requirements Engineering, Systems Architecture, RF Systems, Laser and Beam-Control Systems, Integration and Test, Verification and Validation, Model-Based Systems Engineering, and Technical Leadership At AV, Systems Engineers work on challenging products that support critical aerospace and defense missions. You will collaborate with talented multidisciplinary teams, work directly with advanced hardware, and help deliver systems from early requirements through integration, qualification, production, and field support Location: This position is based in either Albuquerque, NM or Germantown, MD. Salary Range $75,000 to $210,000 (This range is broad as we are hiring for multiple levels for this role. Salary will be determined within range at Entry, Mid, or Senior-level based on level of experience.) The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data. Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees’ total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs. ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements. Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us. Principals only need apply. NO agencies please. Who We Are Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC. Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed. What We Do Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status. ITAR About AV: AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV. Careers at AeroVironment

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